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So you’ve been searching for that perfect boat for a while now. You started off looking close to home, seeing what the local harbors have to offer. Next you decide to see what the next state over has for inventory, and before you know it, you are searching half way down the eastern seaboard! You think you have found the one. It has everything you are looking for and more, and the price you can get it for makes it worth the effort. Now, all you need to figure out is how you can get it back to your homeport after closing.

There are a few main considerations when making this decision; expense, time, experience, and wear and tear. For most people, this will come down to expense. Does the fuel expense, marina dockage, plane flights and the cost of bringing crew to assist you outweigh what it would cost to have it transported over land? Always remember to add in a budgetary cushion for the unpredictable because as we all know, if anything is going to happen, it’s going to happen out there! If by overestimating your delivery budget you still think you can undercut the shipping companies quote, then get ready to request some vacation time.

If you have the time to take off a week or two to move your boat from down south up to New England, than it could be the adventurous maiden voyage you were dreaming of. But if things don’t go as planned and mechanical issues or bad weather delays your trip, you could be looking at leaving your boat in an unfamiliar boat yard to be worked on by questionable mechanics only to hope they fix your issue in time for you to come back in a few weeks to give it another shot. If you do decide this is the way you want to go, then there are a few things that you can do to help minimize risk.

Hopefully you have a fresh pre-purchase survey in hand, so of course, address the big things. Engines running smooth? Thru-hulls all work? How about the shaft glands? Probably the number one issue that stops a boat short on a delivery with a new owner is bad fuel issues. There is the probability that the boat has been sitting for a year or more awaiting a new owner to come along and microbial organisms have been growing in your fuel tanks. The boat sea-trialed fine on the nice calm day you went out, but now you are pounding around in some heavy chop and the tanks are getting stirred up. If you are only going a few hundred miles, a box of fuel filters and the knowhow to change them underway should get you home, but if you’re planning a long stretch, inspections of your tanks and a cleaning should be in order. If you are going to be buying a twin engine vessel that will be guzzling down the diesel, then you may want to have the surveyor test the fuel for water and bacterial growth, and also inspect the tanks if able. Did you purchase a sailboat? Most surveyors will only inspect the rigging from deck level. Before you go offshore you should have a professional rigger give a full top to bottom inspection of your rigging to be sure it is up to snuff. This would be another item to be sure is included in the terms of your purchase process before accepting a distant vessel.

An alternative option in getting the boat back to her new home is to hire a delivery captain to move the boat for you. Depending on the size, type, and condition of the boat, and the route and length of the delivery, a qualified captain will cost you anywhere from $250-$500 per day. For additional experienced crew an additional $150 to $250 a day is common. Delivery captains know the routes to take in the various weather conditions, are able to competently sail through the night (with the appropriate crew), and are able to deal with situations, mechanical or otherwise, a new boat owner would not. The ability to log many more miles a day and save you money on things such as where to get the cheap fuel and where to anchor for the night instead of paying dock fees can quickly help pay for their services. Boat brokers and shipyards are usually the best source of information when trying to locate a local captain to trust with your boat.

Hiring a captain to move your boat traditionally has been a very informal affair. However; more recently contracts are being used by captains to clearly lay out responsibilities of boat owners and captains before, during and after the delivery has been completed. What is paid to the crew if there are weather or mechanical delays when the boat is tied to the dock? What is the per diem allowed to the crew for food, travel and other items? These are all things that should be discussed and agreed upon before the boat leaves the dock. To be sure your insurance will cover you in case of an incident, be sure to call your agent and ensure your policy covers waters to be transited and that the captain meets requirements.

If shipping by land, boat dimensions will be the single most limiting factor in where you can go and how much it will cost. For most roads, the vertical height limit from pavement to top of boat will be 13’ 6”. Beam of the boat will determine what route you will need to take. Beams up to 20” are possible if the right road surveys are available, but this may be a roundabout route and end up costing lots of money. The transport companies will be experienced in getting these permits and finding the right route for your particular sized boat.

However you end up bringing your new boat home, it will take some thought and consideration. This will be her first journey under your ownership, but certainly will not be her last.

Tom Miller is a yacht broker with Latitude Yacht Brokerage and holds his 200T USCG and MCA captain’s licenses.  Tom is frequently delivering power and sailboats up and down the eastern seaboard having recently brought a 55’ sailboat from Saint Martin offshore to Newport.  Call Latitude Yacht Brokerage and ask for Tom if you’re looking to buy a boat outside your homeport and need assistance – 401-560-0007, tom@latitudeyacht.com

The Latitude crew was honored to have won the Best Customer Service Award from Newport Life Magazine!  Matt Leduc and Ryan Miller attended the Awards Soiree at Rosecliff Mansion in celebration of the winners with proceeds from the event benefitting the Preservation Society of Newport County.

Thank you to all for the support!

New Englanders will welcome the start of the boating season this year with the 5^th Annual Rhode Island Boat Show.  Conanicut Marina in Jamestown will host this two-day outdoor event on the weekend of May 2-3. Beautiful downtown Jamestown will be full of new and pre-owned boats for sale. Powerboats and sailboats will be dressed up for the season and in the water, ready to be viewed by prospective buyers.

The Rhode Island Boat Show celebrates its 5^th year bringing a FREE in-water boat show to New England with boats that are ready to be purchased and enjoyed this season. Showgoers can talk with the listing brokers about the boats on view and their current inventory, or discuss with brokers what type of boat would fit them best.

“Early May is the best time to hold this outdoor event,” said Matthew Leduc of Latitude Yacht Brokerage.  “There is still quality inventory available that has value this time of year: If boat buyers commit to the search process now and find a boat that meets their needs, they can still have a full season of boating!”

Jamestown’s restaurants, bars, and shops will be open for business during the boat-show weekend and are getting ready to kick off another great season in New England’s’ finest yachting village now that the historic snow storms are finished.

The Rhode Island Boat Show takes place May 2-3 in Jamestown. Show hours are 10 am to 5 pm. Parking and admission is free for attendees.  To learn more about the event, visit the Rhode Island Boat Show website at www.rhodeislandboatshow.com.

Whether a novice or experienced boat owner, the process of purchasing or selling a boat can be a lengthy one, and as with any investment, it is always a wise decision to turn to those who have the resources to assist you in becoming a well informed and educated consumer in the boating industry. Please stop by and discover the difference that is Latitude Yacht Brokerage.

Our booth (#406) is located on the right hand side of the show along the outside wall. Please call if you cannot find us (401-560-0007).

Dates & Location
February 14-22, 2015
Boston Convention & Exhibition Center
415 Summer St., Boston, MA 02210

Show Hours
Sat, Feb 14 & 21, 10am–8pm
Sun, Feb 15, 11am–6pm
Mon, Feb 16, 10am-7pm
Tue-Fri, Feb 17-20, 1pm–9pm
Sun, Feb 22, 11am–5:30pm

By Matt Leduc, Latitude Yacht Brokerage, LLC

You have made the jump and are looking for a boat for you and your family. You have worked hard for a long time and this is your payoff. Your broker has listened intently to your needs. You have done your homework together and have come up with a handful of boats that could be “The One.” Do you know what you should be looking for? The entire process of “looking at the boat” is very important. You must look with intent and purpose. You are looking for clues to the boat’s history. It’s nice to get as much information about the boat as possible before you go to see her. Many times the seller may be unaware of an issue, and other times the seller would rather have you try to find the problems. The data you collect should be used to assess if she is worthy of your consideration. Now, let’s go take a look.

It is all about the layout. Boat building has come a long way over the years, and this evolution has made manufacturers consider the customer. It has always been and will always be about layout. Many of my customers need this advice. Many get caught up in the model number/length of a boat from a particular manufacturer. I have seen many manufacturers move a nav-station desk a certain way and, in combination with a slight move in the galley counter top, make a 36-foot boat feel bigger than the previous 38-foot model. It is amazing! The only way you will observe this is to get out on the boats and take a look for yourself. It will only take a few seconds below to find out if you like it or not. Don’t be shy. If she doesn’t fit, move on to the next boat. If you do not like the interior layout or finish, nothing else will matter. If she looks interesting, then continue. Remember, look with intent and purpose.

The first thing I like to do when I’m with a client is to look at the boat from a distance, ideally from as far away from the boat as possible. Stand forward of the bow and look down her centerline. Look for symmetry. Anything out of balance could be a sign of an issue. Keep in mind, you are looking for clues to an issue that the boat has had in her past. It could be nothing, or it could take you down a path for more information. Make your way closer to the hull, looking down the topsides. You will always see some nicks and dings, but you should be looking for cracks, crazing or blisters. These are the issues that could cause the biggest concern. Then, make your way aft and look at the running gear. Check the strut, cutlass bearing, shaft, zincs, rudder and rudder bearing.

All of these items tend to come up in a survey once in a while. These items need periodic attention during the boat’s life, and you may need to budget for maintaining or replacing any or all of these within the timeframe of your ownership. The biggest one of the group is the rudder. An extremely high percentage of all rudders in your marina have a moisture or delamination issue. It is very common issue with fiberglass rudders, and you may need to deal with this.

The deck is the make-or-break point for a boat. If the deck has high moisture readings on a moisture meter and/or is delaminated in high-stress areas, there is a problem. You may not want to deal with it. On older boats, elevated moisture readings or delamination become more common. When dealing with this type of issue the question then becomes location and size. Many times, moisture or delamination is in an area of low stress. In that case, it should be monitored throughout your ownership. Of higher concern are high-stress areas such as chain plates, mast bases, stanchions or the windlass. The good news is that on a fiberglass boat most of these issues can be repaired to be just as good as new.

When inspecting storage compartments, look not only at the storage space but also the tabbing. The tabbing is the 2- to 3-inch tape that holds the interior parts to the hull. Does it look cracked or coming up in areas? If so, it could be a clue to an issue. Compartments are another area that could hide signs of an active or old leak. Get into the bilge – How does it look? Look at the tabbing, keel bolts, wiring and plumbing runs.

Systems investigation may be tricky. In the Northeast, the biggest buying time is in the late winter and spring, when most boats are out of the water. Most of the systems analysis will be done at the time of the survey. The survey will only be done after you have already seen the boat and agreed upon the price. How do you account for systems issues before the survey? You must ask questions of the seller. Get as much information out on the table before you negotiate the price. All of the 12V and 110V systems should be tested at the time of the survey. What about the water systems? If you are buying boat and choose to test a system you will be required to re-winterize any system that you decommission.

Many times these systems will be covered in a decommissioning escrow that will be held back at the time of closing. Talk to your broker about the details of the escrow hold back. This is a very brief description of what you may encounter during your purchase process. You may buy and sell a handful of boats in your lifetime. Every one of them is a great investment of time and money. Your Latitude Yacht Broker can sell as many as 30 boats per year. The above advice is a sampling of what our experienced brokers can provide as we guide you through the process, assist in looking at a boat, and manage the transaction and closing.

Author Bio – Matt has been a full time yacht broker for 14 years. Before selling boats, he worked his way up through many different disciplines of the marine industry. These experiences have given him the knowledge of systems, manufacturers of gear and boats and how they are put together. The combination of his sales, award winning customer service skills and network of industry professionals will make your boat buying experience efficient and fun!

Matthew Leduc – matt@latitudeyacht.com 401-226-1816

Boater-advocacy group BoatUS offers the following tips for checking on your boat after the prolonged cold snap experienced in the Northeast. It’s good midwinter advice even in mild conditions.

1. If your boat was left in the water, check to see that all of the above-water through-hulls are still well above the waterline. The weight of snow and ice can submerge above-waterline through-hulls, including the exhaust (inboard boats), so start shoveling if you notice she’s sitting lower in the water. It’s also a good time to check on your bubbler system

2. For boats stored on trailers, jackstands or cradles, make sure the boat hasn’t shifted. Boats on stands/cradles should be level, while those on trailers should be slightly bow up. Boats over 26 feet should have at least 3 jackstands per side, with plywood under each if the boat is on dirt or gravel. Check to see that they haven’t moved and are chained together to prevent them from being pushed away from the boat. You know the stands are in the right place when there is no hull deformation at the point of contact. If you see any problems with a jackstand, don’t try to adjust it yourself; contact marina staff

3. It’s never a good idea to store a boat outside without a cover, and never tie a tarp to a jackstand as strong winds can get underneath the cover and yank the stand out. Also, a poorly fitted cover can sag, allowing huge amounts of water to pool, freeze and add substantial weight, so be sure they remain taut to allow snow and rain to easily slide off.

4. Water or ice in the bilge means a leak. Try to find the source of the water during your walk-through and look for a temporary fix to plug the leak that will buy you time until the spring. Rock salt and nontoxic antifreeze may help you break up and remove any ice in the bilge, then dry it completely. If that’s impossible, or the leaks aren’t patched, add a few cups of nontoxic antifreeze.

Article by Tom Richardson, the director and host of New England Boating.

Each year, the Providence Boat Show draws thousands of visitors from throughout New England, looking to see what’s unique and exciting for the upcoming boating and fishing season.

This year, under new management, the Providence Boat Show will be offering creative and informative displays, exhibits, presentations, and fun activities for the entire family.

The showroom floor will unveil a wide variety of powerboats, sailboats, kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and inflatables. Plus, you will find the latest technology, engines, electronics and accessories. The Providence Boat Show is conveniently located at the Rhode Island Convention Center, in the heart of downtown Providence, where you will find great hotels, restaurants, shopping and activities. Stay the weekend. The Providence Boat Show is one of the finest winter boat shows in the region. Come visit Latitude, we will be located on the perimeter wall opposite side from the main entrance. If you can’t find us, call 401-560-0007.

Get a Head Start on Summer Now!

Welcome to the 44th Annual Newport International Boat Show, one of the largest in-water boat shows in the country and the premier show in the northeast!

This prestigious event encompasses 13 acres of Newport’s famed waterfront with all makes and models of powerboats and sailboats ranging from 16 ft. to 85 ft. – ready for boarding and review. On the land side, there’s a bountiful array of marine products and services to enhance the boating lifestyle. Domestic and international dealers and manufacturers will be on hand to provide you with valuable information and answers to all your questions. With numerous countries represented – it truly is an international event.

Latitude will be located in Tent D, booth 64. Call 401-560-0007 for Directions.

For More Information. www.newportboatshow.com

The crew at Latitude recently gathered to celebrate five years in business. Ryan Miller commented, “What an exciting and rewarding five years it has been! It really has been a pleasure to work with such a great team of brokers. I know as a group we are really looking forward to continued success all while helping people get on the water”.

Fast Growing Brokerage Company Strengthens Resources

Newport, RI – Latitude Yacht Brokerage (www.latitudeyacht.com) announced today that Matthew Leduc has joined to form a formidable powerhouse in boat sales in the State of Rhode Island. Matt comes with a wealth of industry knowledge and experience, having spent nearly 20 years coming up through the ranks learning, listening and honing his skills to become one of RI’s leading yacht brokers.  Matt joins Latitude Yacht Brokerage, with his friend Ryan Miller, and is looking forward to working with fellow brokers Tim Norton and Tom Miller. Matt comments – “Ryan and I have worked together for years, always speaking about the industry and how we can help move it forward in this new economy. We are constantly collaborating on how to handle the aging fleet, how to grow boating in New England and introduce people to a wonderful, fulfilling lifestyle.”

Latitude, based in Newport RI, specializes in the brokerage of select Cruising, Racing, and Offshore Sailing Yachts, as well as Down-East style Cruisers, Trawlers, and Motor Yachts. Additionally, in nearby Jamestown, we operate an office at Conanicut Marina, allowing us to better serve our clients by offering a full array of services and convenience.

If your goal is to sell your boat, we have the resources to locate a qualified buyer and represent you in all aspects of the sale, striving for your satisfaction through to the final sale. If your goal is to find that ideal boat, we are here to support and assist you in realizing your dream. Whether you are a new sailor, a classic boat enthusiast, or a seasoned yachtsman, we anticipate the critical stages of buying, and we will steer you toward the day when you navigate to open water.

Our goal is to build your confidence and gain your trust as we orchestrate the purchase or sale of your boat. We are ideally located in the yachting center of the northeast, and will provide you with outstanding service and support.

Please consider us. We won’t disappoint you.

Contact

Latitude Yacht Brokerage

401-560-0007

info@latitudeyacht.com

www.latitudeyacht.com